Meritocracy
a system where people are sorted based on their talent and hard work
Socioeconomic status
A person’s economic and social standing in society, usually based on their income, wealth, education, and occupation.
Social mobility
the process through which an individual or family moves from one social stratum to another
Achievement-based system:
one in which people’s talents and merits determine their social class position
Social inequality
the differential and unequal distribution of goods, services, resources, and power that create a hierarchical social system.
Social stratification
where individuals or groups are ranked hierarchically based on a set of shared characteristics like wealth, income, status, power, or education.
Ascription-based system
An ascription-based system is one in which people’s status at birth determines their social position. In ascription-based systems, there is little to no opportunity for social mobility.
Income
the amount of money you earn over time
Household income:
refers to the total income earned by members of that household.
Income inequality
unequal distribution of income among individuals or households.
- Can be measured by the Gini coefficient or quintiles
Wealth
the value or worth of all possessions and assets owned by an individual. Wealth is determined by calculating the value of assets (like real estate) minus debts (like student loans) to establish net worth
Wealth inequality
the unequal or disproportionate accumulation and distribution of wealth among individuals
Gini coefficient:
This measures social inequality by comparing the actual distribution of income in a province to an equal distribution of all income. A higher score means more income inequality. This measure uses after tax income, which calculates all sources of income and government transfers, as well as taxes paid.
Conflict theorists on SES and inequality
Conflict theorists have articulated how the state is organized to serve the interests of the dominant economic class, and that law is used as a tool for subordinating groups and maintaining dominant social orders
Davis-Moore hypothesis:
Critiques of Davis-Moore hypothesis:
-In doing so, they underscore the critique of functionalism by suggesting that all jobs, no matter how “low skill” or menial they seem, are essential for the functioning of society and therefore difficult to rank.
Symbolic interactionists on SES and inequality
Symbolic interactionists are interested in how inequality and status are maintained and reinforced through everyday interactions. In particular, interactionists are interested in how social status is constructed through status symbols and consumption, and how individuals construct and reinforce inequality through interaction.
conspicuous leisure: (symbolic interactionalist)
which is the use of time in non-productive ways as a sign of social status
Habitus
the habits, skills, and dispositions that we acquire based on our life experiences
Human capital:
refers to investments made by an individual in their training, skills, and education.
Links to social capital
A person’s social capital is often linked to the socioeconomic strata to which they belong, facilitating connections and opportunities among those with the same SES
Cultural capital:
Individual and family cultural resources are just as important as economic resources and useful social networks for educational and labour market success.
Feminist theory on SES and inequality
inequality emerged from cultures that associate masculinity with authority and power.
Intersection of race and SES
Sociologists like W.E.B. DuBois have emphasized how racial identity is a key aspect of social inequality, and sociologists have pointed to issues like discrimination, racism, minority rights, and immigration when it comes to socioeconomic outcomes.